Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-28
Washington Letter.
From Our Regular Correspondent. ]

n rom out htkhlhE Correspondents
WAsuISoToN Dec. 90
One Of the features of Washington, lately
of clubs, social, political and otherwise, not
excluding certain Congressional clubs, +"
wherein pasteboard and ivory are used in
combination to subserye the pleasure of the
members. There are the old substantial
clubs like the Metropolitan and the Cosmos
and there are cunning clubs, boat clubs,
yacht clubs and polcemens clubs--all on the
increase in number and membership except
the latter, and it is to be hoped Congress will
this session do the requisite thing in that re-
gard Among those recently organized is the
National League. a swell affair, with a pala-
tial clubhouse facing Thomas Circle, on
Fourteenth street. Its membership is com
posed of Republicans only. and the design
thereof is to promote the interests of the
Republican party, as that of the Jefferson
Club is. by the same token, to do its level
best for the Democracy. There is also the
Irish American Club. organized for social as
well ~ transatlantic political objects And
now comes a proposition, backed by number
of prominent officials and citizens, ex-sol-
diers of both armies in the late war. to estab
fish "Union Club" the qualification for
membership in which shall be an honorable
discharge from the United States Army, or
an honorable parole as an ex-Confederate.
There are no people in the country who enjoy
themselves and each other better than the two
classes of American citizens mentioned when
they meet on terms of social equality, and it
is thought in such an association, permanent
and resident or visiting members and invited
guests, would, in the intercourse of its aus
pices, find mutual benefit.
The importantly of Office seekers is well
illustrated by little incident which occurred
to a new member from Georgia this session.
He was aroused at daybreak the morning
after his arrival. which was also the opening
day of the session, by a bell-boy at the hotel
where he was stopping, who said gentleman
wished to see him. "What time, in Heavens
name. do people begin to call in Washing
toni" asked the Congressman. Most any
time, sir" grinned the messenger. Having
been told to show him up the member was
in few minutes confronted by determined
looking individual, and perfect stranger to
him, who in an excited manner urged him to
get up and come with him, as he had a cab in
waiting at the door, and he could get an
office Not TO be outdone by this
GOODNESS. and somewhat enjoying the
scene, the new member with show
of alacrity begged him to have the cab
brought up on the elevator while he was
putting on his clothes. He managed at last
to get rid of the early visitor. but was cap
tured again at the Capitol at the opening of
session the same day by the otfice-seeker,
who said that the place was still open if he
would Just come with him and get it, BY
this time tn, Congressmans patience had be-
come exhausted. and he sternly Informed his
new friend that if there were any places to
be had he would certainly secure them for
his own constituents to whom he had made
promises. For Gods sake then Mr.---,
Just get me this till one of them comes"
Senator Plat comes to the front with his
familiar proposal for the abolition of secret
sessions; and. as some of the men who ress-
ted the reform last session are now out of the
way, the prospect is at least fair that it will
succeed. The new Senators certainly would
be unwisc to antagonize public sentiment at
the very outset of their careers, and everyone
knows that there is no division of opinion
outside of the Senate. The facts, there never
was secret session of the Senate. Everything
which has gone BY that name has been an
empty humbug The work of such session
is known in substance to every journalist who
takes enough trouble to find il OUT and
where errors are made in the published re-
ports they for the most part, stfeet mere mat
tiers of unimportant detail. No member who
respects the dignity of the Senate can wish
this sort of thing to go on.
Up to THURSDAY night the store keepers
throughout the city complained that their
places were overrun with people who seemed
to be content with looking at the goods. On
the day named, however. the employees of the
departments received their semi-monthly pay
ments and for the remainder of the week
business was brisk. The amount of money
put into circulation here through the several
departments Of the government is sufficient
to make Washington one of the best retail
cities in the country and at this season the
clerks as a body do not seem to be troubled
with the question show to reduce the sur
plus"